PHILADELPHIA — Back at home, Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles got back on track.
Nick Foles threw one touchdown pass and led Philadelphia’s starting offense to three first-half scores in a 31-21 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.
“I feel we’re improving every week,” Foles said. “We have to keep moving forward.”
Steelers running backs Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount both played one day after they were arrested in connection with marijuana possession shortly before Pittsburgh (1-2) traveled to Philadelphia (1-2).
“I’m sorry to be a distraction to the team but I’m only going to answer football questions now,” Bell said.
Blount also would only answer football questions.
“I just want to apologize to my team, to the coach and the organization for causing that distraction,” he said.
Eagles All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy left the game with a right thumb injury after a 22-yard TD catch gave Philadelphia a 7-0 lead. X-rays on McCoy’s thumb were negative, but he didn’t return. McCoy showed no effects of a toe injury that forced him to miss one practice earlier in the week.
The Eagles’ first-team offense had only one touchdown on six drives in road losses to Chicago and New England. But this was more like last year’s offense that set several franchise records.
Foles was 19 of 29 for 179 yards and threw one interception. He led the offense to 17 points and 251 total yards before giving way to Mark Sanchez in the third quarter. Starting wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper played their first game together, combining for nine catches for 68 yards.
The Steelers couldn’t get going against Philadelphia’s first-team defense. Ben Roethlisberger tossed a 27-yard TD pass to Heath Miller in the third quarter against the backups.
Roethlisberger finished 15 of 24 for 157 yards, one TD and one interception. Bell had nine carries for 23 yards and Blount ran seven times for 32 yards. Rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier had six tackles after an impressive debut last week against the Bills.
Chiefs LB Mays may have wrist surgery
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press that Chiefs linebacker Joe Mays will have surgery on his wrist after hurting it in a preseason game against Carolina and could miss the start of the season.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the team had not disclosed the surgery, which is expected to take place later this week.
Mays signed a $6 million, two-year contract with the Chiefs in the offseason, and he was expected to start alongside Derrick Johnson at inside linebacker. Known for his ability to stuff the run, Mays had been having a productive training camp with the Chiefs.
Colts owner’s trial postponed
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay’s trial on two misdemeanor charges stemming from a March traffic stop has been postponed for two months.
Irsay’s trial had been scheduled for next week, but Hamilton County court records show it’s been rescheduled for Oct. 30.
Irsay was arrested March 16 near his home in the Indianapolis suburb of Carmel after he was spotted driving slowly, stopping in the roadway and failing to use a turn signal. Officers said he had trouble reciting the alphabet and failed other field sobriety tests.
A police report said various prescription drugs were found in his vehicle, along with more than $29,000 in cash.
By wire sources